Witness the Incredible: When the USS New Jersey Squeezed Through the Panama Canal in 1984 – A Jaw-Dropping Moment in Naval History

There are moments in history when sheer engineering ambition collides with nature and technology, creating an unforgettable spectacle. One such moment occurred in 1984, when the USS New Jersey (BB-62)—one of the world’s most powerful and storied battleships—slipped through the legendary Panama Canal. This epic journey wasn’t just about moving a ship from one ocean to another; it was a breathtaking feat of precision, planning, and a touch of daring bravado. Imagine nearly 60,000 tons of steel, bristling with massive 16-inch guns, gliding through a passage so incredibly tight that onlookers held their breath as just inches separated this steel leviathan from the canal walls.

A Floating Fortress on the Move

Commissioned during World War II and lovingly referred to as “Big J,” the USS New Jersey is an Iowa-class battleship—one of the largest and most powerful surface combatants ever built. Measuring 887 feet in length and 108 feet in beam (width), she was designed for speed and might: her engines could propel her across the sea at over 30 knots, while her turrets housed guns capable of hurling projectiles nearly 23 miles.

By 1982, the New Jersey had been recalled to active service for the Lebanese Civil War. But there was one problem: she needed to travel from the Pacific Ocean to patrol the Mediterranean, and the quickest route was through the Panama Canal—a daring and dangerous endeavor, even for seasoned mariners.

The Panama Canal: Engineering Marvel and Immovable Challenge

The Panama Canal itself is extraordinary—a 50-mile manmade waterway that slices through the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Completed in 1914, it’s built upon a series of massive locks that lift and lower ships over the rugged terrain.

However, the canal was constructed in an era when ships were simply smaller. The “Panamax” standard—the largest size a ship could be to safely transit—measured 965 feet in length and 106 feet in width. USS New Jersey, at 108 feet wide, was a match that nearly defied the canal’s limits. Factor in the enormous size, the mighty armor, and projections like gun turrets and decks, and the canal suddenly seemed perilously narrow.

The Preparation: Inches Matter When Giants Roam

Before Big J could even attempt this journey, meticulous planning was required. The commanders and Canal authorities knew slipping up could mean catastrophic damage—not only to a priceless ship but to the canal itself.

Preparations included:

• Exact Measurements: Every projection, ladder, and handrail was precisely cataloged. In some areas, temporary modifications and removals were made to shave critical inches.
• Special Fenders: These massive rubber guards were attached to the battleship’s sides to absorb any accidental impacts with the canal walls.
• Experienced Pilots: Panama Canal pilots, highly trained for such tricky passages, took over navigation from the ship’s own officers for the duration of the transit.

The stakes were enormous: just one slip in maneuvering could damage the world-famous battleship, block the canal—and possibly spell disaster for global shipping.

The Spectacle: A Ship and a Canal, Both Legends

On the fateful day in 1984, spectators gathered along the canal’s banks. Naval officers, civilian workers, and awestruck citizens lined the passageway to watch the mighty battleship inch its way through the gauntlet. On deck, sailors stood at attention, fully aware of the world watching.

As the New Jersey began its slow passage, tension was palpable. Onlookers reported hearing the constant screech of fenders pressed against concrete—the ship was literally squeezing through, with less than two feet of clearance on either side. The margin for error was so slight that some joked the sailors needed to hold their breath just to make space.

Through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks, each maneuver was choreographed with military precision. At times, the battleship seemed almost wedged; her bulk pushed forward by slow, sure tugs and the steady hand of expert pilots.

Cameras clicked and news crews filmed the entire process, while radio commentators described the event with a mix of awe and trepidation. For hours, the USS New Jersey methodically advanced, as if daring the canal to deny her passage. It was a scene worthy of a blockbuster movie—real-life drama as steel and stone met in a contest of size and nerve.

A Near-Miracle in Modern Seamanship

Despite the nerve-wracking proximity, the battleship made it through mostly unscathed—save for a paint scrape or two on the fenders. It was an engineering ballet, a logistical high-wire act that tested both human skill and the limits of technology. Naval historians and sailors alike were amazed, and the event became legendary among those who witnessed it.

The moment underscored not only the incredible design of the Iowa-class battleships but also the timeless ingenuity of the Panama Canal builders. Here was a ship built for the scale of global conflict, passing through a canal built for an earlier century—proof that, with enough courage and creativity, even the world’s biggest obstacles can sometimes be conquered.

Legacy: Why It Still Captivates Us

Decades later, images and footage of the USS New Jersey squeezing through the Panama Canal continue to fascinate. It’s not just the scale or the spectacle—it’s what it represents. In a single day, human ingenuity, determination, and teamwork combined to pull off the seemingly impossible. The sight of that great battleship passing through such a narrow passage is a metaphor for overcoming daunting challenges by careful preparation and bold execution.

Today, the USS New Jersey rests peacefully as a museum ship, a silent sentinel to history. But those who remember her 1984 canal transit recall something more than just a military maneuver. They witnessed a jaw-dropping feat—a time when a mighty battleship faced down the narrowest of gauntlets and emerged on the other side, a little scraped, but triumphant.

So, the next time you marvel at a colossal ship or an engineering marvel, think back to 1984 and the USS New Jersey. Imagine the sound of fenders screeching and the gasp of an audience, and know that sometimes, the most incredible stories are written in steel on water, squeezed through the eye of an engineering needle.